2021 Sundance Institute | Kendeda Short Film Fund FAQ
Who is eligible?
Directors with at least one completed short film that premiered at a film festival or online platform.
What are you looking for?
Narratives that explore the intersection of gun violence with broader issues of racial justice, public health, education, policing, criminal justice, domestic violence, mental health and corporate influence on guns
A variety of artistic approaches, including journalistic, investigative, historical, animated, and vérité-led
Stories that can be effectively told in a short format (5–30 minutes)
Stories that resonate with broad audiences across the U.S.
Projects at all stages of production (but secured access to subjects and location is required)
High production value and sound quality
What is required to apply?
A 2-to 3-page treatment detailing the following:
What is the story and structure? Provide an overview of your story, introducing the main characters and plot points. Describe narrative trajectory or potential story arcs for your subjects
How is the intersectionality of gun violence with some of the broader issues described above explored in this project?
What are some of the challenges you anticipate facing with this project, and how do you plan to overcome them?
What is your artistic approach?
Confirmed access to characters and story
Key creative team bios
Timeline: Your project must have a clear schedule to complete
Film budget: A line-item budget detailing project costs from development through distribution
Visual reference (stills, archival, trailer, sample, etc.)
Prior work sample - Please provide a link to one complete work - this can be of any genre (short, feature, commercial, music video, etc.) or length, but it must be the complete project
For video links, please provide only one streaming link (Vimeo, Youtube, etc.) and the corresponding password if necessary. Please do not provide links where subscription or payment is required to view (Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc.), and do not send downloads (Weshare, Dropbox, etc.)
What subject areas are you looking for?
We’re looking for any subject that falls under the category of gun violence in the United States. Below are some possible subcategories (this list is not exhaustive; we will consider any project related to any aspect of gun violence):
Racial justice
Public Health
Policing
Criminal Justice
Education
Domestic Violence
Mental Health
Corporate influence on guns
How long should the finished documentaries be?
Finished documentaries should run approximately 5–30 minutes.
Can I pitch a trimmed-down version of a longer piece?
Yes—as long as it is an independent, standalone short film with all global rights available, and as long as the short can be released before the longer film.
Must the film be in English?
No—but English subtitles are required.
What must I provide as final deliverables?
High-resolution downloadable digital file of the completed project
Synopsis, bios, headshots, and film stills
A narrative report detailing progress during the granting period and how funds were used
Do you offer any additional funding beyond the grant?
No—you are required to find outside funding sources if needed.
How do I apply?
All applications must be received online through apply.sundance.org.
Can I submit my pitch to the Sundance Institute | Kendeda Fund Short Film Fund and another fund or platform at the same time?
Yes—please indicate in your application if you have submitted the same pitch to a platform or fund.
How many projects will be supported?
Up to seven projects will be selected for support.
How much funding will be provided per project?
Non-recoupable grants up to $50,000 per project will be awarded. Grant amount will be determined by project scale and scope.
When will the application close?
The application will close on February 8, 2021.
Still have questions?
If you have additional questions about the application, please email dfp@sundance.org. For technical issues related to the application, email applicationsupport@sundance.